Citizens Reach Fundraising Goal for David M. Brown Planetarium

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Photos of the triple conjunction of the moon, Venus and Jupiter taken at Arlington Public Schools David M. Brown Planetarium by planetarium director Jonathan Harmon.

A group of citizens surpassed its fundraising goal for the David M. Brown Planetarium in Arlington County, Va.

More than 200 people donated $25,000 in the final days of the fundraising campaign, which ended Thursday. One foundation donated $50,000 anonymously, pushing the total donations to $435,000.

Alice Monet, a former astronomer and president of the Friends of Arlington's David M. Brown Planetarium group, said she was “overwhelmed by the show of community.”

Arlington County school officials last year challenged the group to raise $402,800 by this week to keep the planetarium from closing. The money will cover the cost of a new star projector, replacement seating, updated lighting and a new dome.